SECTOR
Energy & Natural Resources
OLM Law advises on energy, oil and gas, mining, project finance and regulatory compliance in Kenya.
DISCUSS YOUR MATTER →Legal support for energy projects, natural resource transactions and regulatory matters.
Energy and natural resources lawyers for independent power producers (IPPs), mining licence-holders, oil and gas operators and renewable-energy developers in Kenya. We advise across the project lifecycle — EPRA licensing, NEMA environmental approvals, power-purchase agreements, mining licences under the Mining Act 2016, project finance and community-development agreements — in one of Africa’s leading geothermal, wind and solar markets.
Relevant expertise: Mining, Energy & Infrastructure; Projects & PPP; Banking & Finance; Dispute Resolution & ADR; Corporate & Commercial
How we help. We act for IPPs, developers, lenders, DFIs, mining licence-holders and EPC contractors across the project lifecycle: EPRA and mining licensing, NEMA environmental and social impact assessments, power-purchase and offtake agreements, concession structures, project finance, land acquisition and wayleaves, and community-development agreements. When projects are delayed or disputed, our dispute-resolution team handles the contentious phase.
Why OLM for energy and natural resources. Kenya leads Africa in geothermal and is a major wind and solar market, but projects stall at the intersection of regulation, land and finance. We coordinate every regulator on one critical-path timetable and deliver financeable contracts, so projects reach close and construction starts on schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What approvals does a renewable-energy project need in Kenya? EPRA licensing, NEMA environmental approval (an ESIA licence), land and wayleave consents, and a bankable PPA. We obtain the full set and align them with the financing timetable.
How long does it take to develop a power project in Kenya? From feasibility to financial close typically takes two to four years for a utility-scale project, depending on the technology, site conditions and grid-connection timing. We advise on schedule risk and manage the regulatory critical path.
What are the rules on community development agreements for mining? Under the Mining Act 2016, mining licence-holders must negotiate community development agreements with project-area communities, covering employment, local procurement, environmental management and benefit-sharing. We draft and negotiate these agreements.
Energy & Natural Resources Law in Kenya
Kenya is one of Africa’s most active markets for energy investment — home to a growing geothermal sector, significant renewable-energy projects, oil and gas exploration in the Rift Valley and Turkana, and a national grid serving an expanding industrial base. OLM Law advises project developers, financiers, national and county governments and sector regulators on the full cycle of energy and natural-resources transactions and disputes.
The regulatory landscape
Energy projects are governed by the Energy Act and regulated by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). Mining and mineral rights are administered under the Mining Act by the Mining Cabinet Secretary, with environmental obligations flowing through NEMA. Oil and gas is further governed by the Petroleum Act and the upstream Production Sharing Contracts managed by the national oil company and Cabinet Secretary. We help clients navigate this layered framework from inception to operation.
How we help
- Project development and finance — structuring IPPs, PPAs, grid-connection agreements and project-finance documentation.
- Regulatory and licensing — EPRA licensing, environmental impact assessments and community-benefit agreements.
- Mining and extractives — mining licences, royalty arrangements, community agreements and dispute resolution.
- Oil and gas — upstream PSC negotiation, joint-operating agreements, midstream contracts and regulatory compliance.
- Renewables — solar, wind, geothermal and small hydro — site acquisition, permitting, PPAs and carbon credits.
Relevant expertise
We draw on our Banking & Finance, Real Estate, Environmental, Corporate & Commercial and Dispute Resolution teams for energy and natural-resources clients — linking to each of those practice-area pages.
To develop, finance or invest in an energy or natural-resources project in Kenya, contact OLM Law.
